
and many were curious and perplexed. Seeing their perplexity Christ used
other illustrations, still seeking to turn their thoughts from the hope of a
worldly kingdom to the work of God's grace in the soul. . . .
"The husbandman who `putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come,'
can be no other than Christ. It is He who at the last great day will reap the
harvest of the earth. But the sower of the seed represents those who labor
in Christ's stead. The seed is said to 'spring and grow up, he knoweth not
how,' and this is not true of the Son of God. Christ does not sleep over His
charge, but watches it day and night. He is not ignorant of how the seed
grows."—Christ's Object Lessons,
pages 62, 63.
2.
What are the stages of the development of the plant? Of
what is this a beautiful figure? Mark 4:28, 29.
NorE.—"The germination of the seed represents the beginning of spiritual
life, and the development of the plant is a beautiful figure of Christian growth.
As in nature, so in grace; there can be no life without growth. The plant must
either grow or die. As its growth is silent and imperceptible, but continuous,
so is the development of the Christian life. At every stage of development our
life may be perfect; yet if God's purpose for us is fulfilled, there will be con-
tinual advancement. Sanctification is the work of a lifetime. As our oppor-
tunities multiply, our experience will enlarge, and our knowledge increase.
We shall become strong to bear responsibility, and our maturity will be in
proportion to our privileges. . . .
"The wheat develops, 'first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn
in the ear.' The object of the husbandman in the sowing of the seed and the
culture of the growing plant is the production of grain. He desires bread for
the hungry, and seed for future harvests. So the divine Husbandman looks
for a harvest as the reward of His labor and sacrifice. Christ is seeking to
reproduce Himself in the hearts of men; and He does this through those who
believe in Him. The object of the Christian life is fruit bearing,—the repro-
duction of Christ's character in the believer, that it may be reproduced in
others."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
pages 65-67.
The Mustard Seed and the Leaven
3.
With what questions did Jesus introduce another parable?
Mark 4:30.
NOTE.—"In the multitude that listened to Christ's teaching there were
many Pharisees. These noted contemptuously how few of His hearers ac-
knowledged Him as the Messiah. And they questioned with themselves how
this unpretending teacher could exalt Israel to universal dominion. Without
riches, power, or honor, how was He to establish the new kingdom? Christ
read their thoughts and answered
them."—Christ's Object Lessons,
page 76.
4.
How does the mustard seed compare in size with other seeds?
When the plant is grown, how does it rank in size with other
herbs? Matt. 13:31, 32.
NoTE.—"Thompson has seen mustard plants on the rich plain of Acre as
tall as a horse and its rider."—C. Geikie,
Life of Christ.
"Not only is the growth of Christ's kingdom illustrated by the parable of
I 24